Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 36154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 145(@250wpm)___ 121(@300wpm)
“I want her to realize she’s a lot stronger than she believes.”
“Bella knows she’s strong. She doesn’t need you, me, or anyone else telling her otherwise.”
Damon ran a hand down his face. “Then why is she so desperate to stay there? She’s a young woman with her entire life ahead of her. Her father, with all of his training, he pretty much kept her locked up in that place. A princess in a tower. She knows every element of that house. She has safety zones. She doesn’t go out, nor does she do anything unless if it’s to see her friend, or the women she tries to save. That house, her security blanket, it’s killing her. I’m not going to allow her to hold on to bricks and mortar. It’s not safe to do so.”
Randy nodded. “I see your point.”
He didn’t elaborate further.
“I’m not the person you’re after,” Randy said.
He turned back to the other man. “Isabella?”
“She didn’t tell me if that’s what you’re wondering. No, your marriage will hold a lot of secrets, no doubt about it. She doesn’t come running to me every time she has an issue.”
“How did you know?” Damon asked.
“I figured you were going to come and ask me at some point. I know it’s always a bit suspicious that shit happens when I’m not there. That’s just bad luck, or it’s someone who wants to put me as a suspect. I know you suspected me because in your situation, I’d do the same. Look at me, I know who my father is. I know what I should be entitled to. Most men would probably want it as well. I’m not like most men.”
“What are you like?” he asked.
“I couldn’t leave the Family. Drago knew that. My life is here and I can’t change that. He knew I wanted a clean break and I’m never going to get that.” He sighed. “He promised me a home. A life that I could build if I worked for him as a soldier. I’m loyal to Bella because she and her father were the only ones willing to provide me with any kind of help when I needed it most. I will never hurt that woman. I’d die for her. She’s a beautiful woman. Sweet. Kind. What she has had to do hasn’t come naturally to her. I hope you know that.”
Damon nodded. “I still don’t trust you.”
“I wouldn’t either if I was you, but know this, I’d still take a bullet for her.”
“Do you think it’s your father who wants her dead?” Damon asked, closing the file. They sat in the underground casino, checking over the books. He’d kept Randy close because of his suspicions.
“I did but I don’t know, why come after her? I’d have made for an easy target.”
“Unless he does love you and he waited for you to get out of the way.”
Randy shook his head. “The man can’t stand me. At the wedding, he couldn’t even look me in the face. He wouldn’t care if I died or not.”
“But you no longer believe it is him?”
“He has nothing to gain from killing her. A Drago has been part of the Family for years. They’re part of tradition. If he was to kill her, he’d need to take me out, and I’m not dead yet. I’ve given them all plenty of opportunities, believe me.”
“Do you have a death wish?” Damon asked.
“No. Not yet.”
“Everything here looks all clear.” It left only one person who was capable of killing Isabella, but why?
“We’re done here.” Damon got to his feet as Randy’s cell phone rang.
“I wonder why your lady love is calling me,” Randy said.
He answered the call but before Randy got to say anything, Damon heard Isabella’s distressed voice over the line.
“She called me, Randy. She said someone was trying to get into the house and now, now it’s on fire. Oh, my God, I’ve got to go in.”
Over the line, he heard someone else talk. “Miss, you can’t go in there.”
“My friend is in there. Her son!”
Damon didn’t need to wait. He knew exactly where he was going. With Randy hot on his heels, they were in the car and heading toward the apartment building where her friend Daniella lived.
He had a guy on the building.
Putting the call through, he waited. The call finally came through. The voice raspy.
“I failed you, Sir,” the man said.
“Douglas, answer me.”
“He … knew I was here. I …couldn’t … stop … fire … girl and boy … dead.”
The line went dead.
“This is going to kill Bella,” Randy said.
He broke every single speeding law, coming to the building where he knew her friend was.
A crowd was watching as the police held his wife to the ground. Climbing out of the car, he recognized one of the officers, who immediately told his men to back up.